25 Delicious Vegan Soul Food Recipes (2024)

Think vegan is no fun? Wait until you try these vegan soul food recipes!

I’m not gonna lie, I also once thought that veganism only consisted of tasteless, boring dishes.

Little did I know that there is a wide array of comfort foods you can make using only wholesome and plant-based ingredients!

25 Delicious Vegan Soul Food Recipes (1)

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Today’s roundup is full of vegan soul foods waiting for you to discover.

When I say soul food, I mean serious business. I’m talking mac and cheese, pot pie, banana pudding, and yes, even fried chicken.

If you’re on the fence about being vegan, one bite out of these dishes might just push you to the veg. (Get it?)

Even if you don’t follow the lifestyle, I still highly encourage you to give these a try.

Because whether you’re vegan or non-vegan, these recipes will definitely delight.

25 Vegan Southern Food Recipes

1. Vegan Southern Soul Bowl

This colorful bowl (or plate, depending on what tableware you use to serve it) is made up of mac and cheese, cornbread, collard greens, and sweet and smoky tofu cubes.

It truly is a southern soul bowl!

You’d think with all its many components, this dish would require a lot of work and time, but nope, it all comes together in just half an hour.

2. Vegan ‘Fried’ Chicken

Thanks to mankind’s ingenuity, vegans are now able to enjoy the goodness of a crispy fried chicken, without actually eating chicken.

Now, of course, to a carnivore, the experience just won’t be the same. But if you’ve been a vegan for years and are itching for a good fried chicken, this won’t disappoint.

There are many recipes out there, but this one yields fried chicken with a crispy-crunchy skin and a moist, meaty, and tasty flesh.

3. Classic Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese

It’s easy to make vegetarian mac and cheese, but making it vegan could be a little tricky. I mean, how can you make mac and cheese without the cheese?

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With this recipe, that’s how! This food blogger managed to create a pretty impressive mac and cheese that actually doesn’t taste or feel plant-based. The secret? Nutritional yeast.

4. Vegan Collard Greens

A colorful mix of collard green and vegetable tomatoes with garlic, onions, and spices, this is as good as this dish gets.

On its own, it may not be the most exciting dish. But serve it alongside vegan mac and cheese and fried chicken, and you’ll have an unforgettable meal.

5. Vegan Cornbread

Cornbread and other bread recipes normally call for milk, eggs, and buttermilk, but not this one. The results are still pretty epic, though.

All it takes to create the batter are flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, oil, and almond milk.

Notice how easily accessible the ingredients are! I’m pretty sure you have them all on hand already, so why not try the recipe today?

6. Vegan Cheese Grits

Cheese grits without the cheese? While it doesn’t seem ideal to transform a dish that requires cheese vegan, surprisingly, it works.

As long as you’re creative in finding vegan alternatives to traditional ingredients, there’s nothing you can’t do.

In this recipe, you’ll use nutritional yeast and vegan cheddar cheese shreds instead of regular cheese. Problem solved.

7. Vegan Gumbo

While it doesn’t contain the typical gumbo staples – meats and shellfish, this vegan gumbo still manages to taste spectacular.

What it lacks in meat, it makes up for in flavor. The combination of mushrooms, vegetables, beans, and a thick, perfectly seasoned broth guarantees it.

8. Vegan Jambalaya

Here’s another dish your Creole-loving heart will enjoy! It may not be authentic, but this southern-style vegan jambalaya will surely make your taste buds jump up and down for joy.

With its colorful combination of hearty tomato rice, starchy beans, vegan sausages, and Cajun seasonings, what’s not to love?

What’s more, is that this jambalaya takes only 30 minutes to make, which is a lot quicker than a traditional recipe.

9. Vegan Biscuits

These biscuits are fluffy, flaky, savory, and buttery, even without butter.

The trick is to use non-dairy butter, such as Earth Balance. Thanks to this plant-based substitute, you’re free to enjoy as many biscuits as you like.

Serve these for breakfast or brunch with your favorite jam or preserve, or, just smother it with even more vegan butter.

10. Vegan Fried Okra

I wasn’t a fan of this slimy veggie until I’ve had this classic southern dish. These bite-sized snacks are incredibly addicting, and it just so happens to be vegan.

The batter is made of cornmeal, flour, and buttermilk, and is seasoned with garlic powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper.

That’s what makes the breading wonderfully crispy on the outside, and light and fluffy at the same time.

11. Southern-Style Vegan Black-Eyed Peas

Black-eyed peas are often flavored with meat, so making them vegan can be a little complicated.

Not with this recipe, though! The key is to season the peas with hot sauce, spices, and liquid smoke.

The spices are great, but the liquid smoke really amps up the peas’ flavor. They’re so good, no one will even notice the absence of meat.

12. Vegan Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are made rich and creamy with milk and butter. For this vegan version, though, you’ll skip the milk and make up for the lost flavor with roasted garlic and fresh chives.

Also, you’ll use vegan butter instead of the regular kind.

You’d be surprised at how much it tastes just like the real thing!

13. Ultimate Vegan Chili

It’s hard to imagine chili without ground beef, but don’t knock it till you try it. This vegan chili is so sumptuous, it might just be your new favorite.

Swimming with beans, marinated tofu, and seasonings, this chili is the ultimate vegan comfort food.

It comes together in just an hour, to boot. It’s freezer-friendly, too, which means you can enjoy a bowl of hot chili anytime a craving strikes.

14. Crispy Vegan Deep-Fried Pickles

These deep-fried pickles are crispy on the outside and crunchy-juicy on the inside.

They’ll also have the perfect flavor balance between salty, savory, and spicy breading and sweet and tangy pickles.

You’ll experience all those flavors and textures in just one bite! Seriously, you’ll be surprised at how addictive this snack can be.

I like to dip these pickles in ranch dressing for a cool and creamy contrast, but they taste great even without.

15. Vegan Pot Pie

A crispy and flaky golden pastry crust encases a creamy and bubbly vegan stew. If all vegan dishes are this good, I might just convert!

I love how despite the absence of the usual meat component, this pot pie is still wonderfully meaty. Vegan sausage and tofu do the trick.

The meat alternatives are awesome, but honestly, what makes this pot pie such a success is the mix of vegetables.

Carrots, potatoes, cremini mushrooms, butternut squash, celery together make a wonderful medley of colors, tastes, and textures.

16. Vegan Chicken and Waffles

Nothing beats waking up on a Saturday morning to the smell of sweet waffles and savory fried chicken! Chicken and waffles: they’re great apart, but are even greater together.

The chicken component might not be legit, alright, but the flavors and textures are definitely on point.

Serve it with waffles drizzled with maple syrup and vegan butter and I bet no one will even notice it’s not real chicken.

17. Vegan Beef Stew

How can there be beef stew on a list of vegan dishes? I was perplexed by this recipe, too, but it’s definitely worth trying.

This stew is brimming with potatoes, carrots, and celery. The “beef” part in this stew is actually made of TVP (textured vegetable protein) or soy chunks.

These chunks might not taste exactly like beef, but the broth is so delectable, it masks the flavor so well.

18. Vegan Hoppin’ John

Ever heard of hoppin’ John? If not, you’re in for a treat!

It’s a classic southern dish of peas, vegetables, and rice. It seems basic, but the tastes and textures will absolutely blow your mind.

A traditional plate of hoppin’ John normally includes bacon, sausage, ham cock, or some type of meat. This one uses mushrooms instead.

19. Vegan Corn Fritters

These fritters aren’t just bursting with corn, but with bell peppers and green onions as well. It’s as crunchy, crispy, and flavor-packed as you’ll imagine them to be.

You can enjoy this as a snack with your favorite vegan dip, or serve it with soup or salad for a well-balanced meal.

20. Vegan Potato Soup

This potato soup is ridiculously rich and creamy. It’s the kind of soup that’s hearty enough to be eaten as a meal on its own.

You can serve it as-is, but that’s no fun, so go crazy with vegan toppings!

This recipe recommends you garnish the soup with tempeh bacon, parsley, and roasted potato chunks, and I concur.

21. Vegan Hush Puppies

These hush puppies are crunchy and crispy on the outside, and soft and fluffy on the inside. Every bite is of utmost perfection.

Not only are they vegan, but low in calories, to boot. Instead of deep-frying in oil, these bad boys are baked. Don’t worry, they’ll still be as amazing as regular, deep-fried hush puppies.

22. Vegan Baked Beans

These baked beans are sweet, tangy, smoky, savory, and spicy all in one bite. It’s the epitome of all southern BBQ side dishes!

The secret to how insanely delicious these beans are is not that it’s cooked for hours. In fact, this version comes together in just 1 hour.

It’s the combination of molasses, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, sriracha, and apple cider vinegar. Together, they’ll create a harmony of contrasting flavors.

23. Vegan Pecan Pie

Time for dessert! When it comes to vegan sweets, you can’t go wrong with this decadent pecan pie.

With a sweet and crumbly crust and a thick and sticky, caramel-like pecan filling, this pie is phenomenal, to say the least.

24. Vegan Banana Pudding

A mix of bananas, plant-based milk, vanilla, turmeric, sweetener, and vegan butter, this banana pudding is silky, creamy, and unbelievably delicious.

In fact, you might not want to make banana pudding any other way again!

25. Vegan Blueberry Cobbler

With a cake-like biscuit at the bottom, a crunchy and crumbly topping on top, and sweet and juicy blueberries scattered everywhere, this cobbler is the definition of dessert perfection.

It’s sensational on its own, but I suggest you serve this with a scoop of vegan ice cream, to get that lovely warm and cold temperature contrast.

25 Delicious Vegan Soul Food Recipes (2)

25 Best Vegan Soul Foods Recipe Collection

These vegan soul food recipes are just what the doctor ordered! From mac and cheese to collard greens to jambalaya, being vegan doesn’t have to mean missing out on comfort food.

Instructions

  • Select your favorite recipe.
  • Organize all the required ingredients.
  • Prep a vegan soul food recipe in 30 minutes or less!
25 Delicious Vegan Soul Food Recipes (3)

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25 Delicious Vegan Soul Food Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the most eaten vegan food? ›

10 of the most popular vegan recipes
  • Mexican guacamole. Everyone's favourite Mexican dip is 100% vegan. ...
  • Stuffed green bell peppers. Stuffed peppers are prepared in a variety of ways. ...
  • Tabbouleh. ...
  • Spring rolls with soy sauce. ...
  • Caponata. ...
  • Gazpacho. ...
  • Biryani. ...
  • Panzanella.
Mar 24, 2023

Does Gordon Ramsay have vegan recipes? ›

Cooking a meat and dairy free meal doesn't mean you have to settle for anything less than delicious. Our collection of tantalising and varied vegan recipes will have vegans and meat eaters alike coming back for more.

How to make vegan food tastier? ›

But there are some simple steps we can take to make our plant-based meals taste flavorful and satisfying.
  1. Start with fresh ingredients. Any chef will tell you the best food starts with the best ingredients. ...
  2. Include a protein source. ...
  3. Add some herbs & spices. ...
  4. Come hungry. ...
  5. Add the secret ingredient.
Apr 4, 2024

Can vegan food be delicious? ›

Contrary to what some believe, you can have this same experience with vegan foods too. Vegan dishes can be just as scrumptious as others with a few helpful tips.

What is the most unhealthy vegan food? ›

Here are a few vegan products you need to watch out for — plus, some healthier alternatives.
  • Frozen fake meats.
  • Tofu deli meats.
  • Vegan desserts.
  • Coconut yogurt.
  • Frozen meals.
  • Veggie chips.

What candy is vegan? ›

Fortunately, loads of candies are vegan, so we can indulge our cravings (mostly) guilt-free. Most dark chocolate is vegan, as are popular sweet treats such as Smarties (known as Rockets in Canada), Oreos, Airheads, Jujubes, and Swedish Fish (some Swedish Fish contain beeswax, so be sure to check the label).

What chef went vegan? ›

Daniel Humm is not the person you would expect to be making pastel paintings of tofu and radishes. He has a stressful job as the head chef and owner of Eleven Madison Park, New York, named the best restaurant in the world in 2017, which has become even more stressful in the past few years.

What chef cuts meat in front of vegans? ›

After weeks of vegan activists protesting in front of his nose-to-tail bistro, chef Michael Hunter decided to make a statement by butchering a freshly-killed deer's leg in the window of his Toronto restaurant, Antler Kitchen & Bar, right in front of the demonstrators.

Who is a vegan chef? ›

The responsibilities of a vegan chef revolve around creating plant-based dishes that do not contain animal products. In this career, you can cook at a restaurant or prepare meals for food retailers or other purposes. In this career, your duties focus on creating food that meets vegan diet requirements.

What vegan food fills you up? ›

Healthful foods that are high in protein, fiber, or both tend to be filling. Rich sources of protein for vegans include foods such as soybeans, pulses, and some nuts and seeds.

What do vegans struggle with the most? ›

Low vitamin B12 intake is a significant problem in vegan diets due to the exclusion of vitamin B12-rich foods such as meat, poultry, and eggs. A lack of vitamin B12 has been linked to neurologic and hematologic problems [19].

What is the most delicious vegan food in the world? ›

Top 20 global vegan recipes
  1. Ponzu tofu poke bowl. ...
  2. Veggie yaki udon. ...
  3. Sesame & spring onion stir-fried udon with crispy tofu. ...
  4. Sesame & ginger sushi bowls. ...
  5. Vegan ramen. ...
  6. Seitan & black bean stir-fry. ...
  7. Vegan paella. ...
  8. Padron peppers.
Aug 16, 2023

Why do I feel so good eating vegan? ›

You may feel a difference after just a few healthy plant-based meals. Vegan foods such as whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and legumes are rich in fiber, which promotes good digestion by reducing the amount of sugar your blood absorbs.

Do vegans look healthy? ›

A vegan diet tends to be higher in antioxidants and other nutrients that have anti-inflammatory properties. These are linked to better health and brighter, more glowing skin.

What is the main vegan food? ›

A vegan diet is based on plants (such as vegetables, grains, nuts and fruits) and foods made from plants. Vegans do not eat foods that come from animals, including dairy products and eggs.

Which country is #1 for vegans? ›

India. Three of India's major religions — Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism — teach the practice of ahimsa, or non-violence towards all beings. Because of this religious tradition, India has the highest percentage of vegetarians out of all the countries in the world.

What are the most filling vegan foods? ›

Plant-based foods you can add to your meals to help improve satiety
  • Oats. ...
  • Chickpeas. ...
  • Walnuts or Almonds. ...
  • Sweet Potatoes. ...
  • Brussels Sprouts. ...
  • Avocado. ...
  • Brown rice or quinoa. ...
  • Dark Chocolate.

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